Experience

• 

  Variety Wholesalers

  • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

  • Buyer - Misses and Full Figure Bottoms, Activewear and Outerwear

    • Sep 2016 - Present
    • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

    Buyer - Misses and Full figure Bottoms, Activewear and OuterwearOff price merchant/planner dedicated to finding and creating compelling buys, and an assortmentthat meets our customers' needs and aspirations. Strategist and analyst of business to drive sales and profit results.

• 

  Wendy Abrams - Retail Consultant

  • Greater New York City Area

  • Retail Consultant

    • Jun 2016 - Aug 2016
    • Greater New York City Area

    Retail merchandising advisor providing objective insights to facilitate corporate business results. Identify optimal buying opportunities, assess competitive markets, and evaluate brick and mortar and e-commerce opportunities. Guide retail and vendor clients in successfully navigating the retail merchandising experience including: category and inventory management; omni channel and sourcing strategies; optimizing store portfolios; customer loyalty and fashion trends. Recommend solutions to maximize organizational resources; coach executives and managers.

• 

  Dress Barn

  • Mahwah, New Jersey

  • Expert Buyer

    • Aug 1993 - Nov 2015
    • Mahwah, New Jersey

    Buyer for Suit Separates Department comprised of Misses, Plus and Petite size zones.Manage a multi-classification sportswear business comprised of jackets, layering pieces (knit and woven), skirts, pants and dresses. Innovative and results driven leader. Create meaningful partnerships to drive sales and margin. Collaboratively partner to drive sales and merchandising strategies. Builder of strong vendor relationships that serve to maximize opportunities. Competitively negotiate vendor agreements, maximizing initial markup and achieving profit plans. Key accomplishments:-Sales and merchandise margin results significantly surpassing plan.-Identified key items and strategized pricing, flow, and buy quantity to drive excellent results. -Created an assortment that significantly differed from prior seasons, incorporating styling unique for this area.-Attended World Business Forum Conference, designed course and presented to all associates, to share out.-Embraced Strozzi Institute practices to build more meaningful relationships and heighten my self awareness, creating stronger leadership skills. http://www.strozziinstitute.com

• 

  May Merchandising Company

  • Greater New York City Area

  • Corporate Market Representative

    • 1991 - Aug 1993
    • Greater New York City Area

    Successfully developed and executed corporate direct import program adopted by eight subsidiaries. Sourced and collaborated with international and domestic suppliers on a daily basis. Shopped domestic market creating and presenting these programs to subsidiaries, placing and managing commitments.Reviewed and reported on performance of all corporate programs.

• 

  Hecht's Department Stores, Division May Company

  • Arlington, Virginia

  • Buyer, Suits, Petite Sportswear

    • 1983 - 1991
    • Arlington, Virginia

    Buyer - Misses/Womens Suits, Petite Sportswear